City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on February 22, 2022, at 6:37 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Pacheco presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Blanca Pacheco Mayor
Sean Ashton Mayor Pro Tem
Catherine Alvarez Council Member
Claudia M. Frometa Council Member
Mario Trujillo Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Aldo E. Schindler, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Leslie Murray, Chief of Police
Anthony Hildebrand, Assistant Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Director of Public Works
Jason Chacon, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation
Anil Gandhy, Director of Finance
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Council Member Frometa. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Livas.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation in honor of Black History Month.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Trujillo congratulated the Los Angeles Rams on their Super Bowl game win and congratulated the City of Inglewood for hosting the event. He reported attending the Council Goal Setting Workshop on February 10, 2022, thanked staff, and reported that most of the Trujillo BRASS plan regarding maintenance of residential streets, alleys, and sidewalks was prioritized. He thanked Dr. Robert Jagielski, Dr. Rebekah Ruswick, Dr. Anthony Zegarra, and Dr. Reyes of Downey Unified School District for their work with children in special education. He invited members of the public to a Sister Cities social to be held on February 23, 2022 and to the Annual Street Faire to be held by the Chamber of Commerce on March 19, 2022. He reported attending a meeting of the Rio Hondo Golf Course Subcommittee to discuss an open house tour. He also reported hosting the Webelos Boy Scouts for a tour of City Hall. He reported participating in the Norwalk Lions Club Student Speaker Contest as a judge, complimented the caliber of the student speakers, and congratulated the Lions Club on continuing to host the event. He also reported a meeting with the City Manager and Chief of Police regarding safety at Independence Park Skate Park.
Council Member Frometa thanked members of the public for joining the virtual meeting. She reported her attendance at the Council Goal Setting Workshop and highlighted the importance of street
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Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022 2
repaving and a balanced budget as part of the City’s goals. She directed staff to reach out to partner organizations such as Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, and Hollywood Bowl to provide opportunities to seniors for day trips. She also directed staff to research the cost to install shade structures for the fitness equipment areas in Apollo and Furman Parks. She directed staff to address landscape maintenance on Paramount Blvd. between Alameda St. and Quill St. and Florence Ave. between Mattock Ave. and Haledon Ave. She thanked the Police Department for keeping people safe and continuing its speed enforcement activities.
Council Member Alvarez reported her attendance at the Council Goal Setting W orkshop and thanked staff for the opportunity. She expressed her delight in honoring the black community by proclaiming February as Black History Month and emphasized the need to stay united against racism, intolerance, and injustice. She thanked Supervisor Janice Hahn, Director Schindler, and Management Analyst Juddy Montenegro for their work to assist the homeless community. She requested staff create an ad hoc subcommittee to study the possibility of rent stabilization and asked to be appointed to this committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Ashton announced his resignation from the City Council effective March 18, 2022, and said he would be stepping down from his Mayor Pro Tem position at the end of the February 22, 2022 City Council Meeting. He expressed his appreciation to the members of the public and thanked staff for their dedication and hard work.
Mayor Pacheco clarified that Mayor Pro Tem Ashton’s last Council meeting would be March 8, 2022. She asked City Attorney Abich Garcia regarding the next steps for the Council vacancy in District No. 2. City Attorney Abich Garcia stated that Council would be able to fill the vacancy via appointment following an application and interview process. Mayor Pacheco asked whether the Council would need a reorganization to fill the Mayor Pro Tem position. City Attorney Abich Garcia confirmed that the Mayor Pro Tem selection could proceed as soon as the next City Council meeting.
Mayor Pacheco thanked members of the public participating virtually. She also thanked Assistant Fire Chief Hildebrand for attending the L.A. County Fire Fighters Graduation. She mentioned her brother graduated as a Fire Fighter. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments, and Chief Murray for keeping the community safe. She reported attending the Council Goal Setting W orkshop and stated she looked forward to continuing the workshop every year and thanked the City Manager for hosting the workshop annually. She also reported participating, along with Council Member Frometa, in a virtual meeting with children from Williams Elementary regarding the role of Council Members in local government. She announced she will attend a planning meeting for the League of California City Leaders Summit, to be held in Sacramento in May, and encouraged her Council colleagues to attend. She read her statement, published in the Downey Patriot, in which she clarified her vote at the February 8, 2022 City Council meeting to accept City Manager Livas’s resignation.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA, CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were received regarding Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed one written comment was received.
Lee Squire, resident, submitted written comments in support of Black History Month and in support of civil rights.
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any calls for public comment regarding Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed there were calls.
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Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022 3
Mark Garza, resident, proposed to honor his late friend Vincent Alba with a statue or plaque at the City’s skate park.
Irma Zamorano, nonresident, commented on the results of the District 3 recall initiative, Mayor Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tem Ashton’s resignation, and Council Member Trujillo.
Lucia Cruz, commented on the results of the recall petition, the performance of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, affordable housing, diversity, and Council.
Juan Martinez, resident, commented regarding litigation against sexual predators, requested to pull Item Nos. 10 and 14 from the Consent Calendar for discussion, and commented regarding Council priorities.
BC, resident, commented on the recall of George Gascon, pandemic measures, homelessness, affordable housing, corruption, and the separation of City Manager Livas
Maggie Moe, commented regarding Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, good development, and higher taxes.
Dan, commented regarding the Sister Cities committee and members of the Downey City Council.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, nonresident, commented regarding Mayor Pacheco, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, affordable housing, Council Member Alvarez, rent control, agenda management, City Council, the resignation of Mayor Pro Tem Ashton, Juan Martinez for City Council, jail privatization, and requested to pull Item Nos. 10 and 14 from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
Armando Herman, nonresident, commented regarding housing.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment on Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda Items.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Ashton abstained from Item No. 1, Special Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2022, as he was absent; and, abstained from Item No. 6, due to the close proximity to his residence.
Council Member Trujillo abstained from Item No. 1, Special Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2022, as he was absent; and, abstained from Item No. 9, due to the close proximity to his residence.
Council Member Alvarez pulled Item No. 10 for separate discussion.
It was moved by Council Member Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ashton, and carried 5- 0, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Mayor Pro Tem Ashton and Council Member Trujillo abstaining from Item No. 1, Mayor Pro Tem Ashton abstaining from Item No. 6, Council Member Trujillo abstaining from Item No. 9, and Council Member Alvarez pulling Item No. 10 for separate discussion.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of January 12, 2022: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 357477 – 357692; Payroll Wire Numbers 30004196, 30004200 & 30004202 – 30004204; EFT Nos. 11235 – 11272; Manual Wire No. 2220 – 2222, in the total amount of $ 2,908,416.58: Finance.
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Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022 4
3. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR BIDS FOR PELLET ST. AND RYERSON AVE. WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 19-03): Public Works.
4. ACCEPTED WORK FOR LAKEWOOD BLVD. STRIPING IMPROVEMENT (PHASE 3E); APPROVED FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $81,244; AND, AUTHORIZED
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 20-37): Public Works.
5. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION - AREA 2; AND, APPROPRIATED $4,800,000 IN MEASURE R BOND FUNDS IN ACCOUNT NO. 59-1-6872 (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. NO. 22-16): Public Works.
6. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION - AREA 8; AND, APPROPRIATED $4,800,000 IN MEASURE M BOND FUNDS IN ACCOUNT NO. 58-1-6873 (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 22-17): Public Works.
7. AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) NEW AMBULANCES FROM EMERGENCY VEHICLE GROUP (EVG) IN THE AMOUNT OF $578,491.90 TO REPLACE TWO (2) AGING AMBULANCES: Fire.
8. AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF A COMMAND VEHICLE (604) FROM NATIONAL AUTO FLEET GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $186,903.48 TO REPLACE THE 2001 COMMAND VEHICLE CURRENTLY IN SERVICE AS A RESERVE UNIT: Fire.
9. APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RAK DEVELOPMENT, INC., DBA KREUZER CONSULTING GROUP, IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,780 FOR DESIGN OF ALLEYS NORTH AND SOUTH OF STEWART & GRAY RD. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS AS DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE PROJECT:
Public Works.
11. ADOPTED RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR RENEWAL OF LANDSCAPING AND STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 121 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23: Public Works.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 22-8053, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ORDERING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER’S REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 1 OF THE “LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972”, BEING DIVISION 15, PART 2 OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND SERVICING OF
STREET AND PUBLIC FACILITY LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING, TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND
APPURTENANT WORK IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2022 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
12. APPROVED FIFTH AMENDMENT TO GROUND LEASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CITY OF DOWNEY, PPCP IRG DOWNEY, LLC AND IRG DOWNEY, LLC: Community Development.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 22-8054, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENTS IN GROUND
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Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022 5
LEASE AND FINDING THAT SUCH APPROVAL IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
13. APPROVED THE DOWNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STREET CLOSURE PERMIT APPLICATION, TO CLOSE BROOKSHIRE AVE., FROM FIRESTONE BLVD., TO 5TH ST., FOR THE CHAMBER’S ANNUAL STREET FAIRE TO BE HELD ON MARCH 19, 2022; AND, APPROVED THE FEE WAIVER FOR USE OF THE CITY’S SHOWMOBILE AT THIS EVENT:
Administration.
OTHER BUSINESS
10. APPROVED THE ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION OF AGREEMENT AND CONSENT FROM ALLIED UNIVERSAL FOR JAIL SERVICES: Police.
Council Member Alvarez requested information on this item. City Manager Livas provided an overview on the agreement and Chief Murray provided further information Chief Murray stated that the contract is being transferred following sale of the contracted company.
Mayor Pro Tem Ashton asked for clarification on the jail services. Chief Murray responded that the jail is a temporary housing facility and does not keep people overnight. City Attorney Abich Garcia clarified that the jail is not being privatized and operations are not being transferred. She stated that this contract is for supplemental services to assist Police personnel in operation of the jail.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ashton, seconded by Council Member Frometa, and carried 5- 0, to approve the Assignment, Assumption of Agreement and Consent from Allied Universal for Jail Services.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
14. DISCUSS “OUR NEIGHBORHOOD VOICES” INITIATIVE, WHICH SEEKS TO OVERRIDE NEW
STATE HOUSING LAWS AND RESTORE LOCAL PLANNING INPUT OVER LAND USE DECISIONS: Mayor Pacheco.
Item No. 14 was not discussed and will be brought back to a future meeting.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:01 p.m. in memory of Officer Nicholas Vella, 44, of the Huntington Beach Police Department who died in the line of duty; and, the lives lost due to COVID-19.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor